Clean Water Institute supports summer research

Thirteen students are spending their summers as interns with the Lycoming College Clean Water Institute. Several projects are being conducted under the direction of CWI directors Mel Zimmerman, Ph.D., professor of biology, and Peter Petokas, Ph.D., CWI research associate.

The main project for the summer is to continue the Unassessed Waters Project, in partnership with PA Fish and Boat Commission, Zimmerman said. Since 2010, the CWI has completed 230 unassessed waters using backpack electrofishing equipment in the Loyalsock, Lycoming and Pine Creek watersheds. This summer, the institute is working on completing at least 80 streams in the Pine, Lycoming, Antes Fort and White Deer Hole creek watersheds.

Projects include water quality monitoring of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from Lock Haven to Sunbury, surveys of eastern hellbender populations in north central Pennsylvania streams, monitoring of water quality before and after best management practices are established on farms in the several watersheds, pre- and post-stream restoration studies along creeks in northern Lycoming County, and designing and presenting educational programs and activities about Pennsylvania wildlife topics to campers at Camp Victory, Millville.

The students also will work with Cromaglass and Archaea Solutions Inc. to determine if microbes can degrade wastewater in salt water environments, and study sewer plant discharge sites.

Lycoming College is a four-year, residential liberal arts and sciences school dedicated to the undergraduate education of 1,400 students. Its rigorous academic program, vibrant residential community and supportive faculty foster successful student outcomes. Lycoming offers 36 academic majors and is recognized as a Tier 1 institution by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1812 and located near the banks of the Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pa., Lycoming is one of the 50 oldest colleges in the nation. For more information, visit www.lycoming.edu.

Several Lycoming College students are interning this summer with the college's Clean Water Institute and are working on various aquatic ecology research/monitoring projects in the North Central Pennsylvania area.